Contingency management, self-control, and education support in the treatment of childhood phobic disorders: a randomized clinical trial

J Consult Clin Psychol. 1999 Oct;67(5):675-87. doi: 10.1037//0022-006x.67.5.675.

Abstract

This study evaluated the relative efficacy of an exposure-based contingency management (CM) treatment condition and an exposure-based cognitive self-control (SC) treatment condition relative to an education support (ES) control condition for treating children with phobic disorders. Eighty-one children and their parents completed a 10-week treatment program in which children and parents were seen in separate treatment sessions with the therapist, followed by a brief conjoint meeting. Children in both the CM and SC conditions showed substantial improvement on all of the outcome measures. These gains were maintained at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. Interestingly, children in the ES condition also showed comparable improvements at posttreatment and at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. Implications of the findings are discussed with respect to knowledge development and clinical practice.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Behavior Therapy / methods
  • Behavior Therapy / standards*
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Phobic Disorders / therapy*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome